If there's one thing that a typical school day at a classical Christian school should not be, it's boring. That's because classical Christian school teachers and administrators not only find and impart great joy and passion in the subjects they're teaching (and the awesome God who created them all!), but also because this education model lends itself to such creative ideas and ways of learning.

Emily Fischer, our fourth grade teacher, has been embodying this type of creativity in her classroom for many years, and has helped guide and inspire many other teachers to do likewise. It's not uncommon to walk by her classroom and smell smoke, hear power tools, or see costumed kids wielding weapons...and know that it's all part of the plan and going just fine!

Emily joins her husband, Veritas Head of School Ty Fischer, on this episode to give listeners a glimpse into this wholly different, beautiful, joyful way of learning that is classical Christian education, especially as it relates to Grammar School.

This conversation will help you see one more way that Veritas is likely quite different from any other school you've encountered, and perhaps even inspire you to aim for creative, outside-the-box, or even slightly risky traditions that will help your child mature as the young man or women God is designing them to be.

In the midst of it, you'll get a tour through our fourth grade year, a thrilling journey through the Medieval, Renaissance, and Reformation time periods peppered with castles, swords, exciting field trips, memorable moments, and (of course) lots of fire.

In this episode - our final episode of 2024 - Ty Fischer talks with Pastor Robert Godfrey (Zeltenreich Reformed Church) and his wife Catherine about how we as Christian parents can cultivate our children's prayer and devotional lives by fostering a culture of family prayer and devotions in our home. The conversation touches on not only practical tips for parents to get on the right track, but also precious spiritual truths and encouragement no matter what age our children are - that we have a loving, altogether wonderful heavenly Father who is a good God, worthy of worship, and who inclines his ear to his children when they come to him in prayer.

We realize that not every child is going to grow up to be a world class musician or standout singer. Or even be inclined to join their church's choir and go to the symphony every weekend. However, we wholeheartedly believe in music's important place in a child's education - both learning to make good music and learning to appreciate good music. Throughout history, the free societies of the world have valued music education, and for good reason.

As we approach our anticipated Christmas Concerts (and Christmas caroling season, of course) this is an excellent time to listen to a conversation with our three music teachers - Sarah Smith (K-2nd grade music), Lindsey Stauffer (upper grammar and secondary music and choir director) and Jennifer Petry (orchestra director) - about why music education enriches a student for life in their future families, churches, and communities at large.

Links for Further Listening

Here are links to some of the music pieces mentioned in this episode, for your family's further listening enjoyment:

• ⁠Vivaldi Four Seasons⁠
• ⁠Haydn Surprise Symphony⁠
• ⁠Bach Toccata and Fugue in d minor⁠
• ⁠Berlioz Symphony Fantastique 5th movement